Planting Science - Members: View: Courtney Matzke
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Courtney Matzke

Profile

  • Time Zone
    Pacific

  • Organization
    Washington State University - Pullman

  • Role
    Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  • Research Interests (300 words)
    I am interested in a wide array of topics, but am currently working with self-incompatible plants in the genera Turnera and Primula. My thesis involves characterizing candidate genes in the S-locus which may be responsible for anatomical differences in the reproductive organs between floral morphs as well as their biochemical recognition systems. In the past I've worked with the model fern, Ceratopteris, investigating the evolution of the gene LEAFY and it's role in non-flowering plants. I have also worked in restoration ecology, looking at the effects of competition and parasitism in prairie plants in the genus Castilleja.

  • Profile Question 1
    When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):
    It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I discovered the fascinating world of biology, and became increasingly interested in science--something I'd never been exposed to growing up. In fact, I had always avoided taking courses in math and science believing that my brain wasn't built for them. I soon realized that anyone with an interest and motivation can become a scientist, and it is by no means a subject reserved for specific groups. I became captivated and wanted to expand my knowledge, taking an affinity for plants in particular. I came across a book called, "A Woman of Science," in which the author, Cardy Raper, tells her story of an accomplishment nearly impossible at the time for a woman-obtaining a PhD in science from Harvard. She discusses challenges she faced while conducting innovative research on fungi in a "man's world" and how her family and friends discouraged her from doing so. I was extremely inspired by her story and decided that I wanted to attempt to achieve the same goals and become a woman scientist. So, after the discovery of my late-blooming love of botany, I took the plunge and went back to school in order to obtain a formal education in hopes of someday becoming a plant scientist.

  • Profile Question 2
    What is your favorite plant? Why?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):
    This is a VERY difficult question! I am obsessed with carnivorous plants, ferns, and mosses! If I had to chose only one plant though, it would have to be the Bristlecone pine. One individual in the White Mountains of California is over 5,000 years old! Can you believe that this tree is older than the pyramids in Egypt! The trunk is twisted and the wood is extremely dense to help protect it from pathogens such as certain insects and fungi. It's short and twisted shape also gives it a very unique appearance. Overall, I am fascinated and amazed that a tree can be so old.

  • Profile Question 3
    What is a typical day like for you?

  • Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):
    A typical day for me revolves around plants. It starts out with the fruit one of the most important plants in my day-to-day life: coffee beans! After that, I make my way to the university and start off by checking on all of the various things I'm growing. I get to go up to the rooftop greenhouse and take care of several different tropical flowering plants I work with, as well as collect specimens for various experiments. Then, I go down to the basement where the growth chambers are located to check on my transgenic Arabidopsis plants! After that, I get to spend the rest of the doing experiments in the lab. I also usually have a few meetings with colleagues throughout the day as well. Depending on the time of year, I'm usually taking at class or two centered around plant biology (plant anatomy and mycology this semester!), and teaching some of the lab sections for introductory biology or botany.

  • Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?
    2

Skills & Endorsements

  • No skills have been endorsed yet.

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NSF_Logo.jpg This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #2010556 and #1502892. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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